The ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 is barely a month away, but Team India still has plenty of unsolved questions about their middle order. Ishan Kishan has shown promise in the recent past, including saving the team from a precarious position against Pakistan in the Asia Cup. KL Rahul has been India’s option of batter-wicketkeeper since the last World Cup, however, he sustained an injury during the IPL which brought Ishan Kishan into the fray, who has impressed everyone with his flamboyant batting.
While India captain Rohit Sharma and chief selector Ajit Agarkar have chosen to maintain a sense of secrecy regarding the KL Rahul and Ishan Kishan debate, a significant number of former cricketers have expressed their support for the left-handed player. KL Rahul has been a regular in the side thanks to his consistent performances in the middle order and his ability to double up as wicket-keeper when Rishabh Pant got injured.
Things took a turn post-IPL as KL Rahul injured his hamstring during the tournament and Ishan Kishan who until then was being considered a backup opener was given the gloves. Kishan made the most of the opportunity as he became the top run-getter in the West Indies ODIs with a hat-trick of half-centuries. These were done however at his favorite opening spot.
India will make a huge blunder if they don’t play Ishan Kishan ahead of KL Rahul – Gautam Gambhir
Former Indian cricketer Gautham Gambhir went as far as to call it a blunder if KL is picked over Kishan. Ishan Kishan had pretty bad numbers in number 5 until the game against Pakistan in the Asia Cup. Ishan had to be picked as KL Rahul was not completely match-fit, and the innings Kishan played along with Hardik Pandya to take India out of danger seemed to have cemented the left-hander’s place in the side.
The southpaw would have probably got to his well-deserved hundred if cramps had not limited his movement. Experts have been backing Kishan over Rahul ever since this innings, and rightfully so.
Ishan Kishan doesn’t get many opportunities, but when he does, there’s pressure on him. He has scored a double-century, and even after that, we don’t see him getting many chances – Aakash Chopra
Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra was speaking on his YouTube channel and felt that Ishan Kishan has not been backed in the white ball format despite a string of consistent performances to his name. Chopra understands Kishan to be a temperamental player who has the ability to bat at different positions depending on the situation.
“Where Ishan will bat in this team is a separate issue, dependent on various circumstances but he has understood the pulse of the ODI format,” said Aakash Chopra.
India will play Pakistan in the Super 4 stage of the Asia Cup, and KL Rahul has been adjudged fit and is expected to join the squad. Indian would want to test his fitness before going into the world cup, but that move would have to be undertaken by dropping an in-form Ishan Kishan. Only time will tell as to what future has in store for both of them